The classic meditation seat...

There is a very recognisable pose that is associated with meditation - the seated cross-legged or lotus pose. While this position may be comfortable for some people, does it suit us all? And if not, why are we striving to stay in it when a part of our body keeps nudging us to get out of it?

Initially on my journey with movement, I wanted to conform to the structure and ideal that was being presented to me when it came to alignment and form within a practice that I was learning - tennis, dancing, swimming, gymnastics, martial arts etc. I also did the same with yoga, adapting my body to the practice rather than adapting the practice to my body.

The functional meditation position

Over the years, as I learned about body awareness, anatomical structure, and the complexities of the skeleton and connective tissue, I had a light-bulb moment which completely changed the way I practise and teach. I embraced the functional way of moving - looking at the individual body and adapting any movement or position to suit its unique structure. The functional principle can also be applied to a meditation position, in order to organise the body in a way that is comfortable.  There are meditative practices that embrace physical discomfort as part of the journey, and they are beneficial and rewarding for many practitioners.

But not for me. Struggling to remain in a position that doesn't accommodate my hips or back makes the meditation experience something that I end up dreading. It took me a long time to admit that my body's position was preventing me from getting the best out of my meditation practice. So now I may move a little, or shift to lying down, or support myself against a wall… It depends entirely on how my body feels that day.

However, there is a fine line between accommodating the body with a slight shift here and there, and consistently fidgeting around the whole time, which may come from the mind more than the body! But that's a topic that I will explore with you in a different blog post :)

Try it out

For now, whether you're starting out on your meditation journey, or you're a seasoned practitioner who is struggling with your position and spending most of your time focusing on the niggling in your knee, hip or back, spend a few minutes with me in the video that follows. It's called “Meditation for beginners” but it really applies to anyone who would like to explore other meditation positions. I run you through a few options that might help you find comfort and ease in your body, so that you can focus more on your meditation and less on when it's going to finish so that you can move! I hope you find it helpful.